What does sentence mean?
A sentence is a complete unit of language that expresses a statement, question, command, or exclamation. It normally contains a subject and a predicate and can stand alone as a grammatical unit. In legal usage, the word also means a punishment imposed by a court on someone convicted of an offence, as in a prison sentence or a life sentence. The related verb means to impose such a punishment: a judge sentenced the defendant to a term in prison. Although the two meanings belong to different areas of language, they share a history. The word comes through Old French from the Latin sententia, a word based on sentire, “to feel.” Originally, a sentence expressed an opinion, conviction, or judgment. It later developed both its familiar grammatical sense and its legal sense. Today, “sentence” is useful both for discussing how language is organized and for referring formally to a judicial punishment or decision.
A complete grammatical unit expressing a statement, question, command, or exclamation, usually consisting of a subject and a predicate.
"The final sentence of the chapter is memorable."
A sentence is grammatically independent and is normally punctuated with a full stop, question mark, or exclamation mark.
A punishment imposed by a court of law on a person convicted of an offence.
"He received a ten-year prison sentence."
This meaning is especially associated with criminal justice, though the word can also refer to a judicial decision more generally.
A formal expression of opinion, judgment, or authority.
"The organization's statement was dismissed as a political sentence."
This is less common today than the grammatical and legal senses.
To impose a punishment on someone, especially by a court of law.
"The judge sentenced the defendant to community service."
Usually used with a person as the object and a punishment or sentence as the complement.
The plural is formed by adding -s; for example, “the sentences in the contract” or “the court imposed two sentences.”
"The judge reviewed the sentencing guidelines before issuing the sentences."
From the Latin root meaning “to feel,” a sentence began as an opinion or conviction before it became a grammatical unit and a court's punishment.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sentence come from?
The word entered English through Old French sentence, from Latin sententia, “feeling, opinion, or judgment.” Latin sententia was formed from sentire, “to feel, perceive, or think,” related to the modern words sentiment, consensus, and sentient. The word was originally associated with expressing an opinion or conviction, and its legal sense developed from the idea of a formal judgment or decision imposed by a judge.
Related word forms
How sentence is actually used
In grammar, a sentence is normally written with a capital letter at the beginning and a full stop, question mark, or exclamation mark at the end. In legal contexts, “sentence” usually refers specifically to the punishment imposed after conviction, while “verdict” refers to the jury's finding of guilt or innocence.
Easily confused with sentence
A sentence in grammar expresses a complete thought, whereas a clause may form only part of a sentence.
A sentence is a statement or unit of language, while sentiment is an attitude or feeling.